Ashley Geckle

“In Johannesburg, a small time criminal, Tsotsi, is a teenager without feelings, hardened by his tough life. After a series of violent gang hits, Tsotsi hijacks a car…. The next six days bring about a change in him that couldn't be foreseen” (IMDB.com). The film won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year.

The club will look at an overview of gang culture in South Africa and its impact on the region. How did a gang problem develop in the region? How has life changed for communities in the post-apartheid era? Who are “the numbers” and how are they structured?

“Embarrassed by his large nose, a romantic poet/soldier romances his cousin by proxy” (IMDB.com). The film won many awards – including the Oscar for best costume design. Ranked #43 in Empire magazine's "The 100 Best Films Of World Cinema" in 2010.

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, the club will screen a film considered one of the more romantic foreign films ever made. Originally an 1897 play, the story has been adapted for the big screen 10 times in the past 110 years. History of the play and character will be discussed.

Suggested Audience: French studies, French Club, English / Theater students

To Live (1994) • China•UR •132 mins • Mon, February 27th 6:30-8:45pm

“Fugui and Jiazhen endure tumultuous events in China as their personal fortunes move from wealthy landownership to peasantry. Addicted to gambling, Fugui loses everything. In the years that follow he is pressed into both the nationalist and communist armies, while Jiazhen is forced into menial work. They raise a family and survive, managing ‘to live’ from the 40's to the 70's in this epic, but personal, story of life through an amazing period” (IMDB.com).

Due to the film’s substantial length, there will be little time for discussion. However, viewers will be able to learn why this film was banned in China. The film also got Zhang Yimou, one of China’s greatest director’s of all time, a two year ban from filmmaking. Along with winning the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, the film also won a BAFTA and Golden Globe Award for best foreign language film.

Suggested Audience: World history students, Asian studies,Chinese Club

“Ten years after the end of World War II; anti-terror policeman Fuse gets suspended from service after the suicide by self-detonation of a young terrorist girl during an operation, as he failed to shoot her in time. When he tries to gather some information about her, he meets her sister and befriends with her. Both get dragged into the rivalries between the administration of the police and the counter terrorism commando unit 'Jin Roh' (human wolves)” (IMDB.com).

“Once there was a little girl, called Little Red Riding Hood, for she wore always that red riding hood. Now her mother had made her a suit of clothing for her to wear, and this suit of clothing had been made completely out of metal” (Wikipedia.com). We will discuss the analogy to the fairy tale, as well as the history behind the dark version it references. Also, we will look in-depth at the many, many references to postwar Japan’s political history.

Suggested Audience: Art students, Ethics on War & Terrorism, Political studies, English students

“A man in London tries to help a counterespionage agent. But when the agent is killed and he stands accused, he must go on the run to both save himself and also stop a spy ring trying to steal top secret information” (IMDB.com).

The 39 Steps is the second film in a line of Hitchcock films based upon the idea of an innocent man on the run. What is an auteur? A brief introduction of Alfred Hitchcock’s work will be given. Can you spot Hitchcock’s cameo?

“On the steppes of Kazakhstan, Asa lives in a yurt with his sister Samal, her husband Ondas, and their three children. Ondas is a herdsman, tough and strong. It's dry, dusty, and windy; too many lambs are stillborn. Against this backdrop, Asa, a dreamer who's slight of build and recently finished with a stint in the Russian Navy, tries to establish a life on the steppes…. Is this the place of Asa's dreams?” (IMDB.com).

The film depicts the barren, rural side of the country and provides a look into a fading way of life. What is it like to have only one potential bride within 100 miles? The unique casting and filming approach to the film will also be explained. Terms like yurt will be explained. We’ll discuss why the film was criticized by some Kazakhstan government officials – even more so than Borat.

“A Jewish man has a wonderful romance with the help of his humour, but must use that same quality to protect his son in a Nazi death camp” (IMDB.com). This film won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Actor in a Leading Role.

Roberto Benigni directed, starred, and co-wrote this touching tale that occurs during WWII. Inside a Nazi concentration camp, a father attempts to preserve the innocence of his son through positive psychology. A mixture of comedy and tragedy, a film about the concept of hope in the worst of times. Highly recommended.

Suggested Audience: World history students, Sociology students, Psychology students

Note: All films are shown in their original language and with subtitles.

Running time is given in minutes – the remainder of the reserved time is for presentations/discussion.